Vingt-Quatre † another year unacknowledged

[ex_seventh238]

[Ciel didn't sleep the night of May 2nd. The 3rd doesn't really mean much to her. She can't say she looked forward to or dreaded the day, but remembering clearly what she received from the Post Office at the same time exactly one year ago... She's undeniably apprehensive, yes. So it wasn't really a surprise to find the package by the mailbox, when she took a quick glance outside the living room window at the crack of dawn.

...No sense dragging it out. She's come to terms with a number of things since anyway; the past year has been draining, but good things have happened. So not really thinking about what it may be, she takes the box inside and effortlessly opens it on the living room table.

...

A... book. A recipe book of baked goods, to be more specific. The last time she saw this must be a decade or so ago.

H...ah. This town really has a sense of humor, huh? Briefly closing her eyes, she rubs her temple beneath the frame of her glasses. After continuing to idly stare at it for a few more seconds with an expressionless face, she resumes the day by throwing out the packaging and bringing the tome with her to the kitchen.

This is useless to her as a memento. She doesn't have much time these days to wallow on by herself anyway, so maybe it's a strangely fortunate thing that of all possible objects, it ended up being the records of her parents' hard work. With how much cooking she's been doing since her arrival here, it's well feasible that she'll be able to make a great deal of what's written down in there on her own - provided that Mayfield's got the necessary ingredients, anyway.

She's already decided on a typical pancakes breakfast today, but this'll be a good read before work. ...Maybe she should bring it with her too, she could try a few things out after class.]

[Phone - Public]

[Right, there was also prom. Then THAT MEANS ONE THING.] I'm sure everyone must be aware of it by now, but don't forget that Prom is on the 18th, roughly two weeks from now! Talented tailors and seamstresses are already offering their services, so it shouldn't be hard to find something nice to wear. As Mr. Quinn already mentioned last week, dates are optional, so don't be afraid to come alone. You may even meet someone there, so don't be shy!

That said! [here it comes...] I'm in care of a sheltered young boy who's not very good around people. He is quite important to me, so I'd like to find him a charming young lady around his age to accompany him to Prom. ...Though a boy wouldn't matter either actually, I'd be okay with that! He may be a bit crass and rude at times and talk like he's much older than his prepubescent looks, but you have my word that he's an exemplary gentlemen when he behaves. Sporting the image of wise and cool, he is actually quite knowledgeable in history and prides himself to be quite intelligent and capable. He does seem to harbor an uncanny weakness to women with golden blond hair and crimson red eyes, but please don't be deterred. With raven hair smooth as silk and pale skin like fine porcelain, his appearances are actually quite angelic. If that's still not quite enough to cause consideration, I'm willing to negotiate with anyone interested... other means to incite acceptance. So if there's any interest or more questions, please let me know!

[Hmm. Hmm. It may be obvious to some, but there IS more than one shotapire in town, isn't there... but it's not like she's PURPOSEFULLY trying to create some confusion, not at all--!]

[Action]
I. Grocery store → Church ;; Early Afternoon
[Guess who's carrying 5 million bags of stuff again! ...No beef, potatoes, carrots and other typical curry ingredients and such today, however. Still in her civilian clothes, Ciel seems to be exclusively carrying flour, fruits, sugar, eggs, and other things one would presumably need in baking. She's doing fine whether you're just watching from the sides or walking towards her, she's usually pretty good at balance right...]

--Ah, please be careful!

[STILL MIGHT BE IN EVERYONE'S BEST INTEREST to avoid collisions just in case, though... Better be safe than sorry! She's got like two dozen eggs in there, that would be bad to break, ;;;]

II. Church ;; Afternoon
[Anyone who steps in during the evening will be slammed in the face with the enticing sweet scent of baked good. ...But isn't the kitchen in the back? Even if it may be going through excessive use today (which is actually is...), how does it really spread--

--Oh.

If you walk further in, the fact that there's a plate of mixed berry flaugnarde next to a tray of two dozens canelé might explain why it smelled so good. Both are still hot too, upon closer inspection; it must have been baked within the last hour. No one else seems to be around, but the smell is definitely coming from the hallway leading towards the left.

...

What do?]

III. Church ;; Late Evening
[The night is much calmer. Despite everything, this date today means something, she supposed, so at least something has to be said to whoever Above to acknowledge the significance.

In the end, Ciel settles on reciting the Memorare in French. Prostrated in front of the Altar with her headdress on, which is rare, she chants quietly.]

Souvenez-vous, ô très miséricordieuse Vierge Marie, qu'on n'a jamais entendu dire qu'aucun de ceux qui ont eu recours à votre protection, imploré votre assistance, ou réclamé votre secours ait été abandonné.

Animé d'une pareille confiance, ô Vierge des Vierges, ô ma Mère, je cours vers vous, et gémissant sous le poids de mes péchés, je me prosterne à vos pieds. O mère du Verbe incarné, ne méprisez pas mes prières, mais écoutez-les favorablement et daignez les exaucer.

Amen.

[Once she's done, however, she doesn't stand up from the spot. ...She owes more than a simple prayer, doesn't she? So even if the Church is silent once more, she'll keep her eyes closed and stay bowed.]
((OOC: Hover on text for direct translation! o/))

IV. Town ;; Late Night
[It's past midnight. It may be on a particularly tall tree. It may be on a lamppost. It may even be on the roof of your house. Wherever it is, upon closer inspection, the night sky isn't the only thing there. ...Actually, someone seems to be perched/sitting on top of that place without effort, while idly taking their time to stargaze.

Nothing too strange about that, right... Interrupt?]

Comments

[kinship]

Abel said Adam was keeping him up? But he seems a well-behaved puppy... almost a drone.

[ex_seventh238]

He mentioned that it would jump on him in the middle of the night, seeing that he sleeps on the couch. [chinhands] You haven't heard of it? Though that part is normal. From what I've heard, individuals who can talk to animals report similar results to how a conversation with a drone human would go. But puppies are still excitable and active in nature, aren't they? My assigned husband got way too many the other day...

[kinship]

[He's mildly annoyed that she knew about something like this before he did, not that it's anything to be worried about.]

It's his own fault for sleeping on the couch, the dog probably wants to claim it for his own bed.

[ex_seventh238]

[she drilled him about it because he's been conking out on the pews more... COINCIDENCES OKAY]

Which is why I suggested the basement. Where else would he sleep, if the couch isn't good? [looking mildly conflicted, Father has bad bones doesn't he...]

[kinship]

[Oh Lord, what has he even been telling her? Abel has wonderful bones and could go for days without sleep if necessary, the big whiner.]

He could always share my room.

[ex_seventh238]

[it's called ironic assumptions...]

That could work, you should bring it up to him. ...Is your bed big enough, though? [he's still a tall mofo...]

[kinship]

He can curl up, and he already knows he's more than welcome to share my bed.

[So don't feel sorry for him getting disturbed at night, he does it to himself.]

[ex_seventh238]

But say, putting it like that...

[she tilts her head and rubs her temple.]

You're making Father sound like a dog too, Cain...

[not that she

doesn't totally agree 100% with the statement

but still...]

[kinship]

He's not a dog.

[It's in his usual mild tone, but perhaps there is a slight bit of bite behind it. He doesn't like Abel being referred to as a dog, nor himself, not even in jest.]

[ex_seventh238]

[There are many instances when the ability to discern subtle changes in another's tone, facial expression, look in their eyes, and body language because their words don't, wholly or partially, echo what they really mean, can come in extremely handy. Being a heavy practitioner of lies, deceit, and hypocrisy herself, Ciel's naturally grown skilled at picking out the hints that would be missed by most people.

But Cain's comment, in this instance, makes that process wholly unnecessary. Reading between the lines is for when the allusions and hidden messages mean far more than the literal spoken words. When the words themselves already carry a strong message that overshadows further implications, what's blatantly said can become more revealing than anything else.

Which is the case here. That Cain isn't playing along and doesn't look particularly amused already spoke volumes; detecting the bite is just a tiny bonus by that point.

This is something that unsettles, or at least, doesn't sit well with the always cheerful Cain.

...

Hmm.]

I don't mean that literally, of course, but to refer to someone else as a "dog" or "puppy" are colloquial terms commonly used to express fondness. ...Do you understand it differently, Cain?

[kinship]

[Even knowing she meant it fondly, it doesn't change that he dislikes the term. Neither of them were dogs, lesser, tools, animals... monsters.

He's buried that mild bite of irritation under his usual neutral smile, though.]

I was only meaning that a dog is far too intelligent to be Abel, that's insulting to canines. Perhaps a sugar-soaked amoeba?

[ex_seventh238]

[...

haha he sure has his ways.]

Not a plankton? Coming from you, I'm almost amazed. [She chuckles quietly.] Was he like that too, at your age?

[this is the subtlety that Charles lacks...]

[kinship]

[Much more subtle than Charles it might be, but Cain is not about to let that kind of information slip so easily. Not to mention it's now pinging him that two of his 'friends' have been asking about this in close succession of one another.

WHAT ARE YOU TWO DOING?! Creepy stalkers...]

Was he like a plankton? He had his moments, definitely.

[ex_seventh238]

[what, they look completely innocent!!! ciel hasn't put her serious face on around cain yet... don't get like that... 8<]

Which more though, a plankton, or an amoeba?

[kinship]

[What kind of question is that? It's not like whichever answer he gives will give her any insight at all.]

I'm not sure, I've not thought about it before.

[ex_seventh238]

[IT KILLS SUSPICION AT LEAST...]

Really? Both are organisms, but they have big differences, you know? Like the plankton, despite of plant nature, is an essential component of the world's biology as a whole. It's on the bottom of the food chain, being what fishes feed off of, and as for amoebas... Um...


[give her a second to remember... going to frown lightly in thought for real, she sort of learned about this in passing before, hasn't she...]

[kinship]

Amoebas are single-celled organisms that are the the ultimate stage of evolution, at the basest level. They can reproduce by themselves, they contain their own nutrients and they're resistant to most threats.

[ex_seventh238]

[...

Yeah not stuff your average 10-years-old should know.

She gives a small nod at that, and doesn't try to hide the amazement on her face.]

Very good, that's far more concise an answer that I could've given. Biology isn't exactly my specialty, so I don't know that much. Were you taught, or did you learn that on your own through books?

[kinship]

[Lies, every 10-year-old knows this kind of thing, Cain is TOTALLY NORMAL and there's nothing to see here.]

I was taught back home.

[That's not exactly a secret. He's ten, of course he's had schooling.]

[ex_seventh238]

[THAT'S NOT WHAT SHE WAS LEARNING WHEN SHE WAS 10... Admittedly she also came from a rural village so they don't exactly prep you for rocket science, there. Just the practical things mostly, to make through daily living.] General education must've advanced leaps and bounds in the future... [she still sounds vaguely awed.] Or were you home-schooled?

[kinship]

[Darn her sneakiness. He's revelling in the awe, taking it as his due and, at the same time, feeling pleased with the positive attention.]

We're home-schooled.

[It's sort of true. His home had been the lab and then the colony.]

[ex_seventh238]

[Yes if only charles had like even 1% of that...

She already knew he was sheltered, so getting home-schooled wasn't really far-fetched. She expected as much, truly, and while she is unaware of a certain piece of trivial information that Cain is strongly determined to not have leaked, private education would certainly fit in with the idea that he's been brought up differently than a normal human.

((In truth, amoeba is also the one cell organism that's most used in laboratories for experimental and observatory purposes, is that not so...))]

It sounds like it must have been a very advanced program, your must carry great expectations. [a beat.] 'We'? Was it like a small and private class?

[kinship]

[Charles is so useless at this, that even Abel outwitted him. And that's just sad.

He's surprised at Ciel's question, it seems pointless. Of course if he were home schooled it would be a small and private class, it would be unusual if many children came to a lesson in his home.]

My siblings and I.

[ex_seventh238]

[he's a growing babby bat, ciel figured no matter how badly he fails he could still use the experience...

#qualityparentingforproblemchildren

it's not like she's not known to derp sometimes alright...]

I know Abel is your brother, but does that mean you have other brothers and sisters back home too? [still going to look a bit surprised at the idea. Gasp, their family is even bigger?]

[kinship]

[Alas, whereas Cain will grow big and strong in time, Charles will always be a baby bat and will never become a real boy.]

Two sisters, one older and one younger.

[Don't they make a lovely little foursome?]